Random December Highlights And Mentions...

I thought that I would post a few random things from this month.

Early in the month we had a bit of snow. Just enough to say hello.

I found inspiration in a bit of coffee on the counter and I went wild with the fun!!

I painted the design for this year's Christmas Card using coffee and then embellished with a touch of watercolor. Then scanned it into my computer for a bit more fun.

Christmas Card Production Line. Staining each card with a coffee ring. This is only part of the pile I made :)

My fabulous friend Jennifer Moore of Indulgent Health has a cartoon named Jenny Quips and now you can get her on T-shirts!!! I absolutely LOVE mine. She is adorable and makes everyone she meets so happy, won't you go and get yours today? JennyQuips.com

Weiner has finally discovered that if she turns around on the loveseat, she can survey the whole neighborhood. She says it's better than cable, "Next time on..."When the neighbor gets in the car..." She's utterly addicted.

I made Chicken Paprikash for the first time and man oh man was it delicious!

Oh we aren't just interested in dinner around here! Desserts baby, that's where it's at. We held a Tiramisu contest and we both agree that the smoothness of the Kahlua is nice but if we combine it with a touch of Brandy then we think we'd have Thee Perfect Combo.

Living with Hard Wood Floors = Cold Feet

Our solution?

You guessed it, awesome rockin fuzzy Crocs. Never seen these at the store before? Well that's because apparently they keep all the cool stuff online! The Bear says he's never shopping in an actual store ever again, online is where it's at.

My first Morning Dove.

I simply had to run and get my camera. What a way to start the day.

I hope that all of you have had a wonderful December filled with Kindness, Joy and more Love than you could ever hope for.

Cheers,

And may it only get better from here!

Green Goddess, Meet Persimmon Siren...

Green Goddess Dutch Oven, may I introduce you to Persimmon Siren Stand Mixer.

YEARS ago we promised that if we ever found ourselves living in a house with an actual kitchen we would purchase the coveted Kitchenaid Stand Mixer of our dreams. Well that time has finally come my dear readers. After some debate about color choice the decision was made and the order was placed. While out and about one day, I arrived home to the following scene.

Merry X-mas

To: Cuisiniere

From: the Epicurean

(The BEST Hubby a gal could ever ask for)

She is more beautiful in person than I could ever have imagined.

It took me a few days to gather the nerve to get her messy. I mean her Orange paint job is one to rival any high end sports car.

What was the first recipe you ask? Why it was my lovely Aunt Nanny's Caroler Cookies! Perfect for this Holiday Season.

What kitchen addition are you hoping Santa will bring you this year?

My TastyKake for a Castle...

Tis a wondrous thing to share gifts. And even more so when it's with someone special.

As most of you already know, my best and closest friend E lives in Ireland. I occasionally send her packages with sweets, treats, etc. from "home". Anyone who has lived far away from the comforts of what you know, knows how important it is to receive that little something that says "no matter where you are, you are home".

A little while ago I sent my beloved E some TastyKakes. Well when her dad heard that she and her hubby were indulging in some TastyKakeness he was a bit jealous, having moved away from the distribution area. Well a few clicks of the keys and I knew what had to be done...

Send Daddy Mac some TastyKakes!!!

I would package up and send a little taste of memories to him and he in turn would send me a Hand Carved Fairy Castle! How exciting is that?

SHE ARRIVED TODAY!

Safe and sound.

The Bear and I both are so in love with her! Daddy Mac you did an out of this world job. She's simply gorgeous.

View from the back.

I mean the DETAIL!

The natural bark from the Cottonwood complete with tiny bits of moss still on it. I was told how difficult Cottonwood is to carve and how fragile she is. (That's why she's on a cloud of FiberFill. I'm taking no chances here)

Much to my GREAT surprise in the package was a bonus hand carved Ornament!

A picture with a ruler for scale.

There simply is nothing better than sharing with good people. Whether it be sharing a meal, a moment, a phone call, a letter/note, an email or a handmade gift.

Daddy Mac, thank you. Thank you for sharing such a precious item with me. I greatly appreciate it. You are a remarkable craftsman.

E, thank you for sharing your father with me. With out you this exchange would never have happened.

There simply is no substitute for good friends. They are what make the world go round when you think there simply is no way to keep it spinning.

Simply...

THANK YOU!

This is one happy gal!

Home Tour, Part 1...

I mentioned previously that I would explain my recent retreat from public life, well this is why. We've moved! Yep, that's right. After nearly 5 years in our cave like apartment in Alexandria Va, we've moved back to our old haunt of Frederick Maryland. It almost feels like moving home. We've rented a new Townhouse in a nice subdivision and we are slowly settling in and loving every minute of it.

We have the end unit! Yep that means only one neighbor. So far our neighboring house is empty and we are LOVING that.

After living in a very dark, small, depressive, mostly underground cave-like apartment with a rowdy 5yr old that stomped and ran around over our heads CONSTANTLY, this is Utopia!

Come on in won't you?

When you come in the front door you have a choice, up or down.

Let's start with down and work our way up. That seems logical.

When you step down this is what you will see...

Brian's office, Bathroom and living room.

Brian's office is the first door to the left. He's in man cave Heaven. He has a door he can shut and not have to hear my music.

The next door is Brian's bathroom. His office has a connecting door.

Then you walk into our living room. The utility closet and my laundry closet are to the right.

Doesn't our TV look so small now?

An evening light picture to show my lighted garland and gas fireplace.

Stepping through the sliding doors you are out on my patio overlooking the yard.

This picture looks a little weird because I stitched 2 images together. Beanie loves running around in her fenced yard. She is in pup heaven.

Next up, Level Two, studio, kitchen and deck!

So check back in a bit and see what's doin on the next level.

Home Tour, Part 2...

I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of our tour. In this episode we will explore the upper levels.

This time we will take the stairs up.

The view from the top of the stairs. I've started to decorate for the Holidays! Yay!!!

Welcome to my studio/office. I still need to organize, shelve books, get an office desk etc. but that will take some time. Please excuse our mess, pardon our dust, we are under construction. ;)

I have room to sit and read, to do the daily work to keep our company running as well as dance! Yep, that's what the Bear says, Shall we dance?

The tree is waiting for decorations. Where the tree is right now will be my painting area. Plenty of light for many paintings to come!

I even have room for sewing once the holidays are over. I've never had so much room to create! Look out 2011 cause here I come!!

Need to use the Loo? Well you go right on ahead cause we have 4!

From my studio you head right on into the kitchen.

Plenty of room to sit, chat and cook up a storm! I am LOVING this kitchen.

The first place where we've ever had room for a dining table. It's a dream to be able to cook and serve a meal and sit down to eat it at a table like adults and not in front of the television on a TV tray. How grown up is that?

The stairs lead up to the 3rd floor, 3 bedrooms and 2 more Loo's.

From the kitchen you can saunter out to the deck. We may not have any deck furniture yet but we sure do have a view.

We are having so much fun watching the wildlife. So far we have seen, 2 blue Herons, a heard of deer, 3 different Hawks, MANY geese, a groudhog or for you Ohioans a whistle pig. I get up each morning, usually before sunrise, get my coffee and stare out over the wetlands and watch nature wake up. This is what I've been waiting for since living in Nevada.

Next up, a quick peak upstairs and Christmas!

Home Tour, Part 3...

Up to the 3rd and final floor. Thankfully these stairs are carpeted!

Take the stairs up and this is what you'll see.

There's a small linen closet there to the left, followed by a small bedroom on the left. Straight ahead is the guest bedroom that is already set up and the 3rd bathroom, well, that's obvious I would think.

A better view of the fabulous quilt made for the Bear years ago. Isn't it gorgeous?

Turn right and through the French Doors is our master bedroom. Way more room than should be given to one bedroom.

To the left would be a HUGE walk in closet and to the right is the Bear's big closet. And ya, those are French Doors into my bathroom.

Separate his and her sinks to the left, a soaking tub over looking the wetlands and a shower stall and thrown to the right. Room for days really. I've actually haven't used this tub yet but when I do, you won't hear about it ;)

Lots of you have been asking about my X-mas tree. Well here he is. And yes it's a he.

We had gone out with the intention to get a fake tree but ended up coming home with a real Frazier Fir. He's so naturally gorgeous I almost hate to put lights and ornaments on him.

All lit up! LED's and what few ornaments we have will have to do. We are used to a much smaller tree. I love his natural shape and character. He's actually inspired this year's X-mas Card.

Silent Night

I love my fresh garland wrapped in lights. I've never had a banister to decorate before.

Yes Kim, I still have this and I LOVE it!

Merry X-mas everyone and I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into our new home. We miss everyone of you and wish you a very Merry X-mas.